GOLF COURSES IN THE ALGARVE

• Alto
  The Alto Golf Course is near Alvor a small fishing village in the western part of the Algarve, and near Portimao. Alvor Golf Course was designed by Sir Henry Cotton and has the longest par 5 in Europe, this monster par 5 is 604 meters long (approximately 661 yards).
  
  Course: 18 Holes - Par (SSS) 72 (73)
  Length: 6,125 Metres
  Amenities: Pro-shop, driving range, chipping green, putting green, club hire and buggies.

• Benamore
  This golf club near Tavira in the east of the Algarve opened in March 2000. It offers full facilities for every golfer.
  
  Course: 18 Holes Par 71
  Length: 5,497 metres (White Tees)
  Facilities: Putting Green, Driving Range, Putting Course, Bag Drop, Reception & Shop, Bar & Restaurant with large terrace, Locker Rooms, Club Rental, Buggies & Trolleys.

• Castro Marim
  Castro Marim golf club is in the east of the Algarve, and offers full facilities for every golfer. The course opened in June 2001. Castro Marim has breathtaking Mountain, Sea and River view's.
  
  Course: 18 Holes Par 71
  Length: 5,466 meters (White Tees) from White Tees Course Rating 68.6 - Slope Rating 124
  Facilities: Putting Green, Driving Range, Reception & Shop, Bar & Restaurant with large terrace, Locker Rooms, Club Rental, Buggies & Trolleys.

• Carvoeiro Vale da Pinta
  Vale de Pinta is one of two courses located near Carvoeiro, which used to be a small fishing village until tourists discovered it back in the late sixties and early seventies. Now it is one of the major holiday and golfing areas of the Algarve. Carvoeiro has two golf courses, an 18 hole course called Vale de Pinta and Gramacho a double 9 layout designed by Ronald Fream.
  
  Course: 18 Holes Par (SSS) 71 (72)
  Length: 6,152 metres
  Max. Handicap: Men 27, Ladies 35
  Facilities: Putting green, pro shop, bar and restaurant

• Carvoeiro Gramacho
  Some might think that Gramacho is not for them due to its nine-hole layout. This Ronald Fream designed course makes you think you are playing an 18 hole course. Fream has managed to utilise 9 fairways and make an 18 hole look a like. Gramacho has 9 fairways, but has 18 greens and 18 tees. Making it a true test of golf for even the low handicapper.
  
  Course: Par 72 -18 Holes (Double 9) - SSS 72
  Length: 5,919 Meters
  Player
  Requirements: Current Handicap Certificate Required 36 (Both men and Ladies)
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.
  Ameneties: Pro Shop, Driving Range, Putting Green, Chipping Green, Golf Academy, Club Hire, Buggy's, Trolley's, Electric Trolley's and Clubhouse.

• Pinheiros Altos
  Pinheiros Altos is laid out with two distinctive 9-hole loops, the first nine wind their way through pine-clad fairways. They are on a hilly section of Quinta do Lago and there is not too much water. However, the second 9 are ery different. This 9 is very flat and lies in a small valley. It has some challenging water holes needing nerve and accuracy.
  
  Course: 18 Holes. Par 72
  Length: 5,766 metres
  Amenities: Restaurant, Bar, Golf Academy, Resident Pro's, Pro shop, Club hire, Buggies, Trolleys

• Quinta do Lago
  Quinta do Lago is one of the best known golf courses in the Algarve, it has hosted numerous PGA events including the Portuguese Open seven times. Quinta do Lago has now been divided into two courses, The Quinta Course (formally B & C the Championship Course) and Ria Formosa, the notorious A & D nines.
  
  Course: Par 72 -18 Holes - SSS 74
  Length: 6,488 metres off White Tees
  Player
  Requirements: Current Handicap Certificate Required,
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.

• Quinta do Lago Ria Formosa
  Quinta do Lago is made up from the notorious A & D nines of th origina Quitan Course.
  
  Course: Par 72 -18 Holes - SSS 72 Length off White Tees 6,205 Meters
  Player
  Requirements: Current Handicap Certificate Required.
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.

• San Lorenço
  Set in the Ria Formosa nature reserve, this course is well maintained and the location is very spectacular. To play San Lorenço you have to stay in their hotel in Vale do Lobo, or turn up on the day and take your luck.
  
  Course: Par 72 18 Holes
  Length: 6,238 Metres
  Amenities : Pro shop, restaurant, bar, buggies, club hire, trolleys, chipping green, putting green, and Driving range.
  Player
  Requirements: Current Handicap Certificate (Men 24 Ladies 28)
  Soft spicks mandatory
  Normal Algarve Dress Code (Tailored shorts, Socks and Polo shirt)

• Vale do Lobo Royal
  The original Vale do lobo course containing 3 nine hole sections was designed by Sir Henry Cotton, but since the addition of a new 9 holes it has been separated into two 18 hole courses. The new course, (The Royal Course) has retained the original yellow nine which includes the famous seventh hole which is Vale do Lobos signature hole.
  
  Course: 18 Hole - Par 72 - SSS 71
  Length: 6,175 Metres
  Player
  Requirements: Handicap Certificates Needed, Men 28 and Ladies 36
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.

• Vale do Lobo Ocean
  The Ocean Course is set adjacent to the Atlantic and is laid out more like a links type course, with some holes winding their way through the estate of Vale do Lobo. A very challenging course for all grades of golfer.
  
  Course: 18 Hole - Par 71 - SSS 70
  Length: 5,493 Metres
  Player
  Requirments: Handicap Certificates Needed, Men 28 and Ladies 36
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.

• Vilamoura Pinhal
  Pinhal winds its way through the umbrella pines which the Algarve courses have come famous for, undulating landscape and some difficult approaches to greens making it more difficult than first thought.
  
  Course: 18 Holes Par 72 (SSS 71) – Score Card
  Length: 6,300 Metres
  Player
  Requirements: Handicap Certificate Men's 28 Ladies 36
  Normal Dress Code
  Amenities: Pro Shop, Driving Range, Putting Green, Club Hire, Trolleys, Buggy's, Clubhouse

• Vilamoura Laguna
  The Laguna Golf Course comprises holes of widely varied playing conditions. Unlike the other Vilamoura courses, Laguna is located on relatively flat, open terrain. The basis of its modern design is strategic placement of bunkers and water hazards, which demand accuracy of play.
  
  Course: 18 Holes, Par 72 – Score Card
  Length: 6,133 metres
  Amenities: Clubhouse, Golf Shop, Driving Range, Putting Green, Bar/Restaurant

• Vilamoura Old Course
  The Old Course is probably one of the best known courses in Vilamoura, if not the Algarve. The Old Course (formally Golf 1) is laid out along the lines of a classic British Design one of solitude and tranquillity.
  
  Course: Par 73 -18 Holes - SSS 72 - Score Card
  Length: 6,316 Metres off White Tees
  Player
  Requirments: Current Handicap Certificate Necessary, Men 24 and Ladies 28
  Soft Spikes Obligatory
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.

• Vilamoura Millennium
  The new, exciting 18-hole Millennium Golf Course is a result of modification of the old course. Changes were made to the layout or structure of the old nine holes, but several new design features were incorporated with a view to simplifying the strategy of the course and in order to make it more golfer-friendly. Many of the bunkers have been re-shaped and the smaller greens expanded.
  
  This renovated North course has been joined together with the new 9-hole loop to offer a layout of different character, style and playing quality to the remaining Laguna Course. The two nines of the Millennium Course complement each other handsomely. The new nine holes are located west of the clubhouse which has also been extended and renovated and will accommodate players and visitors to both the Laguna and Millennium courses.
  
  Course: 18 Holes, Par 72 - Score Card
  Length: 6,143 metres
  Amenities: Clubhouse, Golf Shop, Driving Range, Putting Green, Bar/Restaurant

• Vila Sol
  Vila Sol hosted the Portuguese Open shortly after opening and soon became one of the Championship courses of Portugal. Other competitions to be hosted here were the Lancôme Trophy in 1996 and the Johnnie Walker Euro Classic in the same year. Vila Sol has also been awarded the European Golfer's Association Ecology Unit's Green Flag Award for it's high standard of environmental management.
  
  As you walk around this course you will come across plaques, explaining what the type of shrub or tree it is with and information on the plant itself.
  
  Course: Par 72 -18 Holes - SSS 72
  Length: 6,189 Metres off White Tees
  Player
  Requirements: Current Handicap Certificate Men 27 and Ladies 35
  Soft Spikes
  Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.

• Vale do Milho
  Vale de Milho , a par 3 course located near Carvoeiro is a course more for the beginner, but for the low handicap golfer wishing to brush up on the short game it could be of some use.
  
  Course: Par 2 x 9 : 54 (SSS) 54
  Amenities: Pro shop, putting green, chipping green and bunker, academy with swing analysts, club hire and trolleys.

• Pine Cliffs
  The Sheraton Pine Cliffs is located between Vilamoura and Albufeira. Made famous by it's first president Nigel Mansell, also frequented by tour processionals during the winter break for the European Tour. Situated on the cliff top overlooking the ocean, it has some spectacular views.
  
  Course: 9 Hole Par 66 (2 x 9 holes) (SSS) 67
  Player
  Requirements: Handicap Requirements 36 both men and ladies.
  Amenities: Pro shop, driving range, putting green, chipping green, academey, club hire, buggy and trolley hire, Club house, restaurant, bar, changing rooms.

• Salgados
  Salgados is located west of Albufeira near Armacao de Pera, the course lies close to the sea on an uncharacteristically flat stretch of the Algarve coastline. This course is almost below sea level and can be subject to high winds coming from the ocean, water naturally plays a big part of the layout due to the mash land that surrounds the course. Salgados with all it's water feels a little like a Florida golf course, but this is where the similarity ends.
  
  Course: 18 Holes Par 72 (SSS 72)
  Length: 6,080 Metres
  Player
  Requirements: Knowledge of course etiquette, handicap certificate.
  Amenities: Pro shop, driving range, putting green, chipping green, practice bunker, trolleys, club hire, buggies, lockers, restaurant, bar

• Penina Championship
  Penina Championship course has been upgraded in recent years and now hosts the Portuguese Open every year.
  
  Course: 18 Hole par 73 (SSS) 73
  Length: 6,343 Meters
  Player
  Requirements: Handicaps Limits: Men 28 Ladies 32
  Soft spikes required
  Amenities: Pro shop, driving range, putting green, chipping green, club hire, trolleys.

• Penina Resort Course
  Penina is very close to Portimao, Praia da Rocha and Alvor. The Penina Resort course is a nine hole course located within the Penina Hotel Complex, and is probably some use to the beginner or for the low handicap just to brush up on the short game. Set amongst eucalyptus trees it is a pleasant way for you to practice.

• Palmares

• Boavista
  Quinta da Boavista is one of the newest golf courses to be opened in the Algarve, located near Lagos in the east Algarve.

• Parque da Florest
  Parque de Floresta the most westerly golf course in the Algarve and set amongst the mountins overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This was probably one of the most notorious courses in the Algarve with sloping fairways and large ravines, buggy tracks that even a mountain goat would have been weary of. Recently it has had a user frendly makeover, but is still a very hilly course.

For more information see http://premier-direct.com/vilamouracourses.htm